The Luka Dončić trade isn’t going down well in Dallas. The Mavericks chose to trade their franchise cornerstone unceremoniously, and the entire fanbase has descended on front office and ownership alike. Between shots at Dončić’s conditioning, a lack of knowledge of NBA history, and potential death threats, the situation gets worse every day.
It became even worse with the Mavs back on their home floor for an extended stretch. During Dallas’ home game against the Sacramento Kings, fans were treated harshly for expressing their opinions about the franchise’s recent transactions.
Fan Ejected, Signs Confiscated by Dallas Mavericks at Home Game
After a protest from the fans about the trade outside the American Airlines Center in Dallas, the friction reached the inside of the arena. In the second half, the team finally decided to show fans in attendance on the Jumbotron after failing to do so in their first home game after the trade.
As part of a karaoke gag, the camera panned to a man pantomiming holding a microphone. However, it was a ruse from the fan who immediately and clearly mouthed the words, “Fire Nico,” a jab at the team’s general manager Nico Harrison.
The Mavs showing fans on the jumbotron for the first time again didn’t go too well for them 🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/uMFC55rsXt
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) February 11, 2025
Right after, he held up a sign with “Fire Nico” on it with a friend supporting him. However, security didn’t take too kindly to the antics. As a result, their placards were confiscated, much to the chagrin of the crowd.
To make matters worse, the fan was then ejected from the premises by security, who escorted him out. From an ownership and management group that has had to levy complaints about not taking responsibility, it wasn’t a good look in the slightest.
The fan who mouthed “fire nico” to the jumbotron has been escorted out of AAC. To raucous booing. pic.twitter.com/QE7eJxS7gH
— RJ Coyle (@coylio33) February 11, 2025
Both Harrison and Governor Patrick Dumont took shots at their former superstar by questioning his work ethic and commitment to fitness and the team. With five All-Star and first-team All-NBA selections to his name, those criticisms rang hollow for a fanbase that had stuck by the Slovenian guard since he was drafted in 2018.
Additionally, Dončić was also responsible for Dallas winning its first playoff series since 2011, as the 2023 scoring leader led the team to two Western Conference Finals and an NBA Finals appearance in the span of three seasons.
If there was a way to make matters worse, to appease the fanbase, Dallas rushed Anthony Davis back onto the court after an injury had kept him sidelined for close to a week with the Los Angeles Lakers.
While he was excellent for three quarters (26 points, 16 rebounds, seven assists, and three blocks), he suffered a second injury, an abductor strain that will keep him out indefinitely.
With their playoff hopes hanging in the balance and the entire premise of the Dončić trade based around instant success, there is a good chance that this season has already gone to waste.
